China’s global significance as an apple grower is increasing, say trade sources. Dick Lowes, MD of Empire World Trade, which supplies several multiples with Chinese apples, said: “This year our sales could be up by 30% over last year.”
Empire was the first to ship Chinese apples to the UK, in 1996, and now brings fruit in on a regular basis throughout a season that can last from October until the following June.
EU statistics show there are two million hectares of apples being grown in China, which is already believed to be the world’s largest apple producer. Some 60% of apples grown there are Fujis.